Duluth Man Charged in Hermantown Shooting

Benny Ray Urrutia, Jr., is charged with assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm after a shooting outside a Hermantown hotel. |
Photo: St. Louis County Jail

Updated: September 04, 2018 06:56 PM

Charges have been filed in connection with Friday’s early-morning shooting in Hermantown.

Advertisement â€“ Content Continues Below

Twenty-one-year old Benny Ray Urrutia, Jr. appeared in court Tuesday morning on charges of assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Police say he shot a woman in the parking lot of the Econo Lodge early Friday morning. The criminal complaint says she was shot in the backside, and will likely have permanent damage to some of her body.

According to the complaint, Urrutia told investigators, “I didn’t meant to shoot my baby. I didn’t.” So it appears the two were in some type of relationship.

He was arrested in the Harbor Highlands neighborhood after crashing his vehicle. The woman was also in the vehicle with him.

Prosecutor Kristen Swanson said bail was set at $200,000. Urrutia will be in court again on September 25.